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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.

Former Arizona commit Jahvon Quinerly plans to wait before making next move

Former Arizona commit Jahvon Quinerly was on hand Wednesday at Hudson (N.J.) Catholic when two of his teammates signed their National Letters of Intent, but Quinerly plans to wait it out before making his next move.
Luther Muhammad, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, signed his NLI with Ohio State, while 6-8 wing Louis King inked with Oregon.

After decommitting from Arizona last month in the wake of the FBI investigation into bribery in college basketball, the 6-2 Quinerly plans to wait and see what his options are.
“We’ve been playing together since we were in the seventh grade, this was our goal, to all sign together,” Quinerly told NJ.com. “But I’m going to have my own day, and I’m just happy for these guys right now and supporting them to the fullest.”
Quinerly initially considered Villanova, Seton Hall, Virginia and Stanford, among others, before choosing Arizona in July. Most recently he has been linked to Villanova, which is in need of a point guard in the Class of 2018. The Wildcats have received NLIs from shooting guard Brandon Slater and small forward Cole Swider. They remain in the mix for point guards Courtney Ramey, the former Louisville commit, and Bryce Wills, but sources said Villanova is also quietly keeping tabs on Quinerly.
The NCAA late signing period runs April 11-May 16.
“I’ve got to wait, I’m just planning on just focusing on the season,” Quinerly told NJ.com. “I’m not really paying it any attention, I’m just focusing on the season and just being there for my teammates right now.”
Former Arizona assistant Book Richardson was arrested Sept. 26 in the FBI probe, and Richardson was indicted this week. He is set to be arraigned Wednesday in the Southern District of New York.
The FBI complaint alleges that Richardson funneled $15,000 to the mother of a “top point guard” who committed “around three days” before Aug. 11. Quinerly, a five-star point guard, announced on ESPNU on Aug. 8 that he would play for to Arizona.
Quinerly has’s hired attorney Alan Milstein to represent him and Milstein has been unavailable for comment.
The scandal has had wide-ranging effects on Arizona’s recruiting.
Key recruits like R.J. Barrett (Duke) and Nassir Little (North Carolina) cut Arizona from their lists and then committed elsewhere.
Others, like Bol Bol and Simi Shittu eliminated the Wildcats from consideration but remain uncommitted.
Brandon Williamssaid he would sign financial aid papers with Arizona, but wouldn’t sign an NLI. Shareef O’Neal, the son of Shaquille O’Neal, has not commented publicly on his plans.
“Coach [Sean] Miller gave me a call and said I understand why you’re not signing an NLI but I have this [scholarship papers] in my pocket,” Chris Wright, Williams’ father, told the Arizona Daily Star. “And they know we’re coming. They know I’m a straight shooter.”
Meantime, Hudson Catholic is among the favorites to win the New Jersey Tournament of Champions. They will also compete in several national events, including the City of Palms Classic, the Hoophall Classic and the SNY Invitational.
“I’m really excited for them,” Hudson Catholic coach Nick Mariniellotold NJ.com of his signed players. “I’m glad that part of it’s over, now I can just concentrate on coaching the team because we have a lot of expectations.”We have a lot of unfinished business as a team… to see them grow as a student athletes and have an opportunity to go to college for free, and because they’re all qualified, now you just enjoy coaching them.”
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.